| Learning numbers can be particularly tricky for | | | | and resources to use with an IWB for specific |
| children as, unlike English or geography for | | | | subjects, another handy program is Power Point. |
| example, mathematics doesn't lend itself as | | | | Using this, teachers can create any size or type |
| obviously to many visual aids. Traditionally maths | | | | of graph they want, but in a couple of ways that |
| has been taught to primary school children using, | | | | weren't necessarily possible when traditional |
| to start with, images of an apple or an animal or | | | | whiteboards and blackboards were the norm. |
| some other recognisable object, and then the child | | | | A 3D graph can be an exciting way for pupils to |
| simply counts the repetitions, but this can now be | | | | be able to visually understand how separate |
| a thing of the past. | | | | elements of a subject can relate to each other |
| An interactive whiteboard, or IWB for short, | | | | and manipulate each other and, similarly, a IWB |
| allows a direct interaction between the pupil and | | | | lets you create 'live graphs' where, throughout the |
| the subject matter and has even more | | | | class, the graph can be updated as and when |
| touch-screen dynamics than you would expect | | | | certain things happen; like the phone ringing or a |
| from many PCs. By using essentially just a | | | | bird flying passed the window. |
| projector and a computer, the image from the | | | | For numbers games, an interactive whiteboard is |
| computer's desktop is projected onto a wall and is | | | | perfect. Although you can now download specific |
| then able to be activated and manipulated by | | | | software for various games and activities, with a |
| simply touching any part of the image. | | | | little bit of imagination it is not hard to create your |
| For example, in maths, a cluster of random | | | | own. Creating numbers games, much like those |
| numbers on a page could be rearranged into their | | | | found on many TV game shows, lets pupils learn |
| correct order by touching each one and dragging | | | | the subject whilst also being able to compete |
| it down to form a line, and doing the same for all | | | | against each other or, better yet, against the |
| of them. | | | | clock. |
| By using a teaching resource as flexible as a IWB, | | | | Why not put a large number in the centre of the |
| subjects like maths can suddenly become far | | | | screen, surround by a handful of smaller numbers, |
| more hands-on for pupils. For example, the | | | | and then add a timer to bottom of the screen? |
| everyday usages of maths can be displayed and | | | | Once the timer starts, the pupils have one minute |
| interacted with to give pupils a visual and auditory | | | | to add, subtract, divide or multiply all the smaller |
| example of why a lesson is important; like to | | | | numbers to create the big number. Online there |
| explain interest on a bank account or show a | | | | are hundreds more interactive teaching resources |
| 20% discount on a clothing sale. | | | | similar to this that can be downloaded for the |
| As well as a huge selection of free applications | | | | classroom too. |